Exhibits
News & Upcoming Events
Environmental Controls
Upgrades are underway for our air conditioning system. The temporary unit has been installed awaiting the arrival of a new state-of-the-art fixture. This will allow us to control the temperature and humidity more effectively and efficiently in the museum. This is important not only for the comfort of our guests, but critical to the long-term preservation of the artifacts. This necessary upgrade as well as other ongoing projects are quite expensive. Please consider becoming a member or click the donate button. Any amount goes a long way to preserving our history and is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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Bugs on the Hooch 2024​
The museum will host a VW car show presented by Scumbugs with a swap meet, food, and music.
When: Saturday, May 25, grounds open at 8am, museum opens at 9am
Cost: FREE admission to the car show and grounds, $5 admission to the museum
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Juneteenth​
Join us for a day of celebration and history. Learn the story behind Juneteenth, where and why it was first celebrated, and how its recognition can transform what we think about history. Our historian will give a talk about Juneteenth at 1pm followed by a staff guided tour featuring Civil War era freedom seekers.
When: Wednesday, June 19 at 1pm
Cost: FREE admission all day
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Cool History Summer​
Member Mondays (June & July)
Experience the stories that your support helps bring to the public. Members receive a private, guided tour of the galleries and behind-the-scenes. While your tour is complimentary, the guests we hope you bring pay only $5.
Call ahead to make your reservation, 706-221-1782.
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Tours on Tuesdays (June & July)
Visit the museum for stories you will hear nowhere else! Take a guided tour of the museum and explore our unique exhibits. Tours are open to the public and start at 11:00 A.M., 1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. Each tour lasts about an hour.
Cost: General Admission
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Lunch & Learn Thursdays (June & July)
Bring your lunch and stop by the museum for an interesting deep-dive discussion about the people who were part of the war on the water. The program starts at noon and lasts about an hour.
Cost: General Admission
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Family Fun Fridays (June & July)
Join Sailor Sam for a special program that includes fun games and hands-on activities, all while you learn about Civil War history. This program is for students of all ages. Starts at 11:00 A.M.
Cost: General Admission
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Summer Guest Lecture Series
Guest lectures are FREE and open to the public.
Dr. Laura Davis - Thursday, June 13 at 6:30pm - Vexed Waters: Confederate Boat Burners along the Lower Mississippi River - Dr. Davis, a current professor of history at Columbus State University, earned her doctorate at the University of Georgia in 2016. She specializes in a variety of topics including American history through the 19th century, with an emphasis on gender, identity, community, and the military. Her current manuscript project focuses on sabotage, irregular naval warfare, and masculinity during the Civil War.
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Dr. Adam Domby - Thursday, July 11 at 6:30pm - Freedom's War on the Waters: The Forgotten Story of the African American Sailors who Won the Civil War at Sea and Saved the Union - Dr. Domby is a historian of the Civil War and Reconstruction at Auburn University. He earned his PhD from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He has won many awards for his scholarship and currently is working on a book project focused on African American sailors during the Civil War.
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Dr. James Welborn III - Thursday, August 8 at 6:30pm - Dueling Cultures, Damnable Legacies - Dr. Welborn earned his PhD in history from the University of Georgia and currently is an Associate Professor of History at Georgia College & State University. His book engages with the intersections of religion, masculinity, and race. His research also focuses on the role of violence, vice, and virtue in connection to southern values as well as Civil War memory more broadly.
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Volunteer Meetup
Interested in history? Like meeting new people? Have some time to volunteer? This is your perfect opportunity. The museum is looking for volunteers to serve as tour guides and guest service representatives. Scheduling is flexible and no extensive knowledge of Civil War naval history is necessary. Training will be provided. Attend a meet-up and see if this is a good fit for you.
When: First Monday of the month @ 1:00pm
RSVP appreciated but not required
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Animals on Board
Recently, historians have turned their attention to the roles of animals and how their presence shaped the daily experiences of the Civil War era. While much of this scholarship has focused on animals in the armies, an examination of animals in the navies can inform new depictions of life at sea during the war.
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Columbus: A Civil War City
We need your help to complete our newest permanent exhibit. This exhibit will tell the story of the people, industry, and events that defined Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley during the most important era of our nation’s history.
